The Countdown Begins: Massive Roster Expansion Incoming!
Gamers, mark your calendars! EA SPORTS UFC 5 is gearing up for an unprecedented roster overhaul this spring, ready to unleash a tidal wave of new fighters into the virtual Octagon. Starting April 4, the game will introduce over 30 new combatants, aiming to achieve 98% parity with the current UFC Top 10 Athlete Rankings, making it the most extensive post-launch roster update in the franchise’s history.
Initial Roster Reveal on April 4th
Ahead of the monumental UFC 300 event, EA SPORTS UFC 5 kicks off with its first major roster expansion on April 4. This update will see the debut of nine fighters, including the dynamic Diego Lopes, known for his submission wizardry, and Geoff “Handz of Steel” Neal, famous for his fight-ending power. And the best part? These new warriors are joining the roster absolutely free!
Fighter Rollout Schedule
April Additions: The First Wave
- Movsar Evloev (Featherweight)
- Brendan Allen (Middleweight)
- Marina Rodriguez (Women’s Strawweight)
- Muhammad Mokaev (Flyweight)
- Serghei Spivac (Heavyweight)
- Geoff Neal (Welterweight)
- Umar Nurmagomedov (Bantamweight)
- Tracy Cortez (Women’s Featherweight)
- Diego Lopes
Late April and May: The Second Surge
- Matheus Nicolau (Flyweight)
- Virna Jandiroba (Women’s Strawweight)
- Manel Kape (Flyweight)
- Natalia Silva (Women’s Featherweight)
- Nassourdine Imavov (Middleweight)
- Marcin Tybura (Heavyweight)
- Stephen Erceg (Flyweight)
- “MVP” Michael Page (Welterweight)
- Drew Dober (Lightweight)
June’s Power Play
- Roman Dolidze (Middleweight)
- Benoît Saint Denis (Lightweight)
- Anthony Hernandez (Middleweight)
- Pannie Kianzad (Women’s Bantamweight)
- Loopy Godínez (Women’s Strawweight)
- Norma Dumont (Women’s Bantamweight)
- Tagir Ulanbekov (Flyweight)
- Alexandr Romanov (Heavyweight)
- Mario Bautista (Bantamweight)
- Chris Curtis (Middleweight)
- Jonathan Martinez (Bantamweight)
- Caio Borralho (Middleweight)
- Kayla Harrison
- Michel Pereira
- Joaquin Buckley (Welterweight)
- Randy Brown
Gameplay Tweaks: Fine-Tuning the Fight
Striking Mechanics Overhaul
- Stamina recovery between rounds slashed by 20%, challenging fighters to conserve energy and strategize across rounds.
- Enhanced ducking maneuvers, with reduced startup frames and closed evasion gaps, offering more realistic defensive actions.
- Modifications to striking speed and power, including slowed haymaker execution and faster overhand punches, shifting the striking balance.
- Upgrades in damage output and speed for various strikes like the slap and leg kicks, aiming to introduce more tactical depth to striking encounters.
Grappling and Ground Game Enhancements
- Expanded range and speed for double and single-leg takedowns, making grappling attempts more fluid and successful.
- Adjusted the stamina cost for muscle-modified transitions, striking a balance between maintaining control and escaping ground positions.
- AI improvements in ground-and-pound strategies, ensuring a more unpredictable and challenging ground game experience.
Additional Updates: Beyond the Fights
- Career Mode adjustments, including longevity attribute decay rates and fitness level enhancements, to enrich the fighter’s journey.
- Inclusion of new vanity items and updated walkout commentaries, adding layers of customization and realism to the game’s atmosphere.
Patch 1.07 Detailed Breakdown
Launch Date and Time
- April 4, 2024, at 10 am PT, with no downtime expected, ensuring a smooth transition into the new updates.
Key Gameplay Adjustments
- Reduction in stamina recovery between rounds, demanding more careful energy management.
- Improved evasion through quicker ducking actions and filled evasion gaps, offering more defense against varied strikes.
- Slower haymaker execution to balance striking speed, paired with a quicker overhand punch for strategic diversity.
- Enhanced damage and speed for specific strikes, like the slap and leg kicks, broadening the combat strategy.
Grappling and Ground Enhancements
- Extended range and speed for takedowns, coupled with modified stamina costs for transitions, revamping the grappling experience.
- AI tweaks in ground-and-pound tactics, reducing predictability and enhancing the ground game challenge.
Miscellaneous Updates
- New fighters, like Aljamain Sterling, added to different weight classes, enriching the roster diversity.
- Career Mode improvements for a more nuanced and rewarding progression system.
- Introduction of new vanity items and enriched walkout commentary, heightening the game’s authenticity and immersion.
EA SPORTS UFC 5’s upcoming spring update is set to redefine the virtual fighting landscape with its massive roster expansion and significant gameplay enhancements. These updates not only promise to bring fresh excitement to the Octagon but also ensure a more authentic and strategic MMA experience for gamers worldwide. So, gear up to face new challenges and conquer the ring with these electrifying additions to UFC 5!
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
